Duffy swung at Joe feebly, his punch wouldn’t have knocked down a child. Joe grinned. “Get wise to yourself, bright boy,” he said. “You ain’t hurting no one.”
The little guy said, “Just pat him around a bit, will you, Joe? We ain’t got much time.”
Joe said, “Sure.” He held Duffy at arm’s length and hit him between the eyes. His fist traveled at a tremendous speed. Duffy could see it coming, but he couldn’t avoid it. Something exploded in his brain, and a bright flash of brightness blinded him. He wanted to lie down, but something was holding on to him.
The little guy said, “Now don’t hit him too hard, just pat him around.” His voice sounded a long way away to Duffy.
“I know just what you want,” the big bird said, and he started to slap Duffy’s face with heavy resounding blows with his open hand.
The little guy said to Clive, “If this makes you feel bad, you can turn your head.”
Clive said, “I’m feeling fine. I wish I was as big as Joe.”
The little guy patted his arm. “I don’t,” he said.
When Joe got tired, he said, “Shall we try him now?”
The little guy said, “I think so.”